'Young mistress?'
Anning couldn't help but stare at Wanqing, wondering how someone could refer to herself as a mistress.
Doesn't she know a mistress means a man's side cheek?
Just thinking about it made Anning laugh, but inwardly!
"I'm sorry." She said,
The words slipping out of her mouth too quickly, Anning had her head lowered slightly, her grip on the tray tightened. She couldn't believe she had actually apologized.
"I-i just remembered something important on the way," she continued, her voice steadier now. "I thought of going back, but... I decided it was better to bring your food first before leaving."
Wanqing didn't respond at first, she simply stared back at her.
There was something in her gaze, some sort of emotion that made Anning feel slightly uncomfortable. It wasn't anger, not exactly. But it was a kind of look that said she didn't believe a single word she had just heard, but she just didn't feel the need to argue about it.
Anning didn't even realize when she raised her head, but she just couldn't look away.
For a moment, neither of them said a word.
Then, Wanqing suddenly turned and walked back into the room. Just like that!
No scolding, no punishment... Nothing!
Anning blinked, slightly thrown off by the lack of reaction but still, the door had been left open.
She stood there for at least four seconds before letting out a sigh. She stepped into the room, sliding the door close behind her as she entered.
Wanqing had already taken her seat on the floor by the time Anning approached her. The small table from earlier had been placed neatly in front of her, and just beside it sat another low table.
The surface of that table was covered with parchments that had neat lines of unfamiliar Chinese characters written on them.
'Anning, don't you dare stare at her.' she cautioned herself.
Her gaze remained fixed to the floor as she walked closer, careful not to step on anything important. She set the tray down on the empty table and slowly took off the cover.
Warm steam rose out of the small plates, as the rich scent of freshly prepared food filled the air.
For a brief second, she looked up and then froze.
Why did she freeze? Because Wanqing was currently staring at her.
She didn't even blink, the brush she had in hand remained unmoving as she calmly stared at Anning.
Anning bit on her lower lip, leaning away as she realized how close she had stepped without noticing. She had even allowed her gaze to meet that of Wanqing's.
She stepped back quickly, her heart pounding against her chest before she turned and walked toward the corner of the room.
Without a word, she lowered herself to knees.
Yes, she had deliberately done this. Not because she had finally submitted.
But because if she didn't hold herself back, even a little, she knew it would end with her losing her head.
Wanqing's attention shifted away from her, just as easily as it had landed. Her gaze dropped to the tray in front of her, watching as steam rose from the dishes.
She pressed her hand onto the side of one of the plates and when she felt it was still warm, she nodded.
Just a small, almost unnoticeable nod before picking up her chopsticks.
But just as she took a bite of her food, her eyes flickered to the corner of the room. Toward Anning, again.
She squinted slightly when she noticed Anning on her knees, head lowered as she remained still. Her eyes gleamed slightly at the sight.
'Ah? So, the little tiger could actually be this docile?'
The room fell into silence after that. Time stretching in a way that felt like the universe just wanted to punish Anning, each second dragging just enough to be noticed.
The soft sound of chopsticks against the ceramic and metal plates filled the air and Anning, poor Anning was still kneeling.
At first, it wasn't too difficult.
But as time went by, her knees began to ache. She shifted slightly, trying to transfer her weight to one leg without drawing attention, but it did little to help.
Then came the smell of food, warm and sweet food that seemed to be literally calling Anning.
Her stomach let out a small growl before she could even stop it.
She pressed her lips into a thin line, her brows drawing together in irritation as she stared at the floor.
So she buys me...just to starve me?
The thought made her feel entirely upset but mostly bitter. But she said nothing, she didn't even do anything.
She calmly knelt there, waiting.
Eventually, the sound of chopsticks stopped.
Wanqing took a sip of water, dropped her cup onto the table before pushing herself to her feet with quiet grace.
"Tiger."
The word cut through the silence swiftly but Anning's face didn't even twitch at the sound.
Sure, she heard it. Who wouldn't hear such an alluring voice in all this silence?
But she wasn't about to answer that. She wasn't an animal.
"I said...tiger!" Wanqing repeated, her voice firmer this time.
But at last, there was no room to ignore it. Anning lifted her head, her blank eyes locking onto Wanqing's.
"I'm not a tiger," she said, her voice strained with frustration. "You know my name, you should make use of it."
Wanqing looked at her for a brief moment. Then, she quickly looked away.
She walked to another side of the room, picked up a long satin robe and slipped it over her shoulders as though the conversation wasn't worth having.
"Someone will come for the dishes," she said calmly. "They'll also bring you food."
Anning blinked, a bit surprised by the sudden shift in her tone.
"After eating, tidy the room and wait for me. I'll be back, " said Wanqing.
She turned and walked towards the door, just as she was about sliding the door open....
"Wait." Anning blurted out before she could stop herself.
Yet, Wanqing paused. Anning hesitated for half a second, then spoke anyway.
"Um, where am I supposed to sleep?" She asked, her voice coming out lower than she intended
Wanqing glanced over her shoulder, but the expression on her face didn't change.
"Here."